SOCIAL

San Francisco's new archbishop is proud supporter of Prop 8

San Francisco’s new archbishop is a fervent supporter of Proposition 8.

On Friday (27 July) Pope Benedict XVI selected Oakland Bishop Rev. Salvatore Cordileone to be the new archbishop in San Francisco.

As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, Cordileone was questioned by reporters about his anti-gay marriage stance at the press conference announcing his new job.

‘Marriage is the union of a man and a woman, because children can only come about with the embrace of a man and a woman together,’ he said. ‘I don’t see how that’s discriminatory against anyone.’

In 2008, Cordileone helped raise funds to get Prop 8 on the ballot box. The initiative, which California voters passed, banned marriage between same-sex couples. ABC News reports he donated approximately $6,000 of his own funds in support of the referendum.

The soon to be archbishop is also, as reported by Catholic News Service, chair of the US bishops Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.

The Human Rights Campaign issued a blistering release denouncing the Cordileone selection. The organization charged it was a phone call from the bishop that got the National Organization of Marriage involved in the Prop 8 battle.

‘Bishop Cordileone has proven himself to be an anti-gay activist who encourages and promotes discrimination against LGBT people,’ said HRC president Chad Griffin. ‘Catholic teaching calls on us to love our neighbors and to treat others with the same respect we wish for ourselves. Unfortunately, Bishop Cordileone’s crusade against LGBT people indicates he doesn’t take these particular teachings to heart. While LGBT Catholics and their allies have worked relentlessly to create welcoming environments, the appointment of Bishop Cordileone sends a chilling message that, in the eyes of the hierarchy, same-sex relationships are not worthy of equal dignity and respect.’